Pharma Partnerships Propel Precision: BCSIR Signs Multi-Party Research and Testing Deals
Multiple separate service agreements have been signed between the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and leading pharmaceutical companies of the country, as well as icddr,b. The agreements were signed on Thursday, May 7, to make analytical services, method development, quality control, testing services, and clinical research activities more dynamic, faster, and aligned with international standards for the country’s pharmaceutical sector.
In the presence of Science and Technology Ministry Secretary Md Anwar Hossain, separate agreements were signed with BCSIR by Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited, Beximco Pharmaceuticals PLC, Square Pharmaceuticals Limited, C2C Pharma Limited, SKF Pharmaceuticals Limited, Healthcare Chemicals Limited, Unimed Unihealth Pharmaceuticals Limited, and icddr,b.
Speaking at the event, BCSIR Chairman Dr Samina Ahmed reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening industry–research collaboration. Chairmen, managing directors, and top executives of the participating institutions were also present.
In particular, with icddr,b, a Clinical Research Agreement and a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) were signed to conduct clinical research activities, bioequivalence studies, expand joint research initiatives, and consolidate frameworks for sharing research findings and technical cooperation.
Relevant stakeholders said that these agreements will create new opportunities for internationally standard clinical research, data sharing, exchange of scientific expertise, and innovative research.
The primary objective of the agreements is to make research and testing services more accessible, reliable, and timely, thereby strengthening the country’s pharmaceutical industry in global competition. Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector is already competing successfully in international markets, and stakeholders believe this initiative will further enhance its capabilities.
Under the agreements, participating institutions will receive priority access to BCSIR’s state-of-the-art laboratories, advanced analytical infrastructure, high-capacity scientific equipment, and the expertise of specialized researchers. This will facilitate faster and more reliable testing services, development and validation of analytical methods, quality testing of raw materials and finished products, technical consultancy, and necessary documentation support.
While speaking as chief guest, Md Anwar Hossain said that effective partnerships between research institutions and industrial enterprises are essential to make the country’s industrial sector technology-driven and internationally competitive. Through this initiative, industries will be able to significantly reduce waiting times for research and testing services.
All board members of BCSIR, along with directors of various laboratories and institutes, senior scientists, and researchers, attended the agreement signing ceremony.
On behalf of BCSIR, all agreements were signed by its Secretary Mohammad Shahidul Haque Patowary. Witnesses included Dr Md Hossain Sohrab and Dr Mohammad Shah Jamal. On behalf of the respective institutions, chairmen, managing directors, or designated representatives signed the agreements.
According to stakeholders, these agreements will further strengthen industry–research collaboration in the country and play a significant role in advancing Bangladesh toward a knowledge-based, technology-driven, and innovation-oriented economy through the implementation of the “lab to industry” concept.
DBTech/THO/EK/OR
